Migrant workers who take part-time or temporary jobs are helping the economy to recover even as David Cameron’s tries to curb immigration, according to research yesterday.

In its latest snapshot of the UK economy, Legal & General found that the UK workforce is more flexible than previously thought, as migrant workers are happier to move to parts of the country that are creating jobs. This means that Britain has not yet seen a structural, or permanent, rise in unemployment.

James Carrick, an economist at L&G, said: “Companies are understandably cautious about taking on new employees when the outlook is uncertain.